A taxi driver on a burger break was picked up by police at a McDonald's drive-through because he took his seat belt off to get money out, a court heard yesterday.

And a traffic fine to go...

A taxi driver on a burger break was picked up by police at a McDonald's drive-through because he took his seat belt off to get money out, a court heard yesterday.

Police said Ferdinand Lethbridge took his seatbelt off before entering the McDonald's drive-through in Williams Road, Prahran, at 5.15am on February 14 this year.

Melbourne Magistrate's Court heard that Lethbridge had earlier been fined a total of $270, which Deputy Chief Magistrate Brian Barrow said was "a lot of Big Macs".

Lethbridge 53, of Boyd Street, Dandenong, had been fined $135 for not wearing a seat belt and another $135 for not having his lights on. Jon Gorr, defending, said Lethbridge removed his seat belt to lean over and grab "a buck for his hamburger" before going through the drive-through.

The police intercepted him when he was leaving.

Mr Gorr said police told Lethbridge he should have removed the belt when he was in the drive-through and the car was turned off.

Mr Barrow appeared bemused by the case. "I think you should be taken off the 10 most wanted list, Mr Lethbridge," he said.

Lethbridge was placed on a good behavior bond until December 1, without conviction and ordered to pay $100 to the court.